March of Dimes Launches New Web-Based Prematurity Resource for Health Professionals

New Online Center Consolidates Information to Make Free Material Easier to Access

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., JULY 6, 2011– The March of Dimes has launched a new online Prematurity Prevention Resource Center (PPRC) that combines all its valuable materials on prematurity into one section of its web site.

The PPRC offers the web’s most comprehensive source of online information on prematurity and prematurity prevention. It includes the most current information from the March of Dimes on interventions, research, advocacy, professional education, global initiatives, teaching tools and resources to use with patients.

The materials, such as a toolkit designed to eliminate medically unnecessary elective deliveries before 39 weeks of pregnancy along with other information about the about the important brain and lung development that occurs during the last weeks of pregnancy, can be found at prematurityprevention.org. Users have free access to the site after registering with a user name and password.

“The new resource center is a new tool for professionals because it puts the latest information about prematurity and prematurity prevention at their finger tips,” says Janis Biermann, MS, senior vice president, education and health promotion, March of Dimes. “Health care professionals, public health professionals, insurers, payers, employers, policy makers and others will be able to go to a single location to find everything they need on preterm birth.” The PPRC provides access to a host of documents on prematurity, as well as a series of useful links to organizations such as the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. Users can also find current videos and webcasts on prematurity-related topics. In addition, there is a message board where users can post thoughts and comments and communicate with colleagues.

With more than half a million babies born too soon each year, prematurity is a serious health problem that costs the United States more than $26 billion annually. Prematurity is also the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive face a greater risk of cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, and other health problems.

The resource center will be updated regularly so that the most up-to-date information on prematurity and prematurity prevention will be readily available. The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies®, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.